Category Archives: “Speak to Me Lord”

From time to time we read or hear amazing wilderness survival stories. People who find themselves lost in the wilderness are forced to survive without food and water, sometimes for days or weeks, before they are rescued. Continue reading →

Some years ago, I began to lead pilgrimage groups in the Holy Land. I noticed that the local guides urge pilgrims to carry a bottle of water and constantly remind them to drink. Now, it’s a hot land, so of course there’s a danger of getting dehydrated.

But at first, I was puzzled. Why the reminders? Don’t we naturally feel thirsty when we need to hydrate? Continue reading →

Did you know that the basic order of the Mass, as it is celebrated today, can be traced all the way back to the second century? As early as the year 155, Christians would gather to celebrate the Eucharist. Continue reading →

In today’s first reading, Jeremiah promises that God will send a new king, a new “shepherd,” to his people. In the Gospel, Mark signals the fulfillment of this promise by telling us that the people around Jesus were like “sheep without a shepherd.” By acting as their shepherd, Jesus showed he is the promised king. Continue reading →

St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most well-known and beloved saints of the church. Today, a familiar aspect of his saintly life was his love for creation that reveals the beauty and power of God. His Canticle of the Creatures is a moving, poetic hymn of praise to God through all of creation — the sun, the moon, stars, wind, air, water, fire, flowers and fruit. Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, “Laudato Si’,” On Care of Our Common Home, begins with the words of St. Francis’ canticle of praise to God for creation. Continue reading →

In our first reading, God is sending a man named Ezekiel to prophesy. Knowing that many people will not be persuaded by Ezekiel’s message, God assures him that ultimately they will recognize “that a prophet has been among them.” Apparently a lot of people did reject Ezekiel’s prophecies. But later Jewish tradition enshrined him as a major prophet and gave his words a prominent place in the Old Testament. Continue reading →

When Jesus encounters the sick, their lives are changed forever. As Jesus heals their physical disease, he gives them the gift of knowing they are loved unconditionally and that they are invited to friendship with God. Divine love heals every sickness of body, mind and spirit. The healing of the body goes hand in hand with healing of mind, spirit and heart. Continue reading →